Hi, elis.
SQL Server 2005 is still being used today but most people have since upgraded to SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 R2, or SQL Server 2012.
A lot of companies are using the business intelligence tools for SQL Server because they are included free with the database server. So long as you bought SQL Server, you now have an Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) tool (SSIS), a reporting engine (SSRS),
and an analysis engine for working with cubes and data mining (SSAS). With many of the other brands of enterprise database servers, these are separate add-ons that cost additional money.
Versions:
- SQL Server 2005 uses Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS), which is really Visual Studio 2005
- SQL Server 2008 uses Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS), which is really Visual Studio 2008
- SQL Server 2008 R2 uses Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS), which is really Visual Studio 2008
- SQL Server 2012 uses SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT), which is really Visual Studio 2010 and can be installed on Visual Studio 2012.
BTW - SQL Server 2014 is coming out in just a few months.
The SQL Server 2005 certifications have all been retired.
Good luck!
Best wishes, Davin Mickelson
